1 15 th October Announcements to Returnees

Transcription

1 UNHCR OCM Afghanistan, P.O.Box 3232, Kabul, Afghanistan October 15 th, 2003 Issue: 43 5(7851 Information Update 1 15 th October 2003 Contents of the Current Issue 1. Announcements to Refugees (1-4) 4. Security: Areas of Concerns (6 8) 2. Nation Building (AGEF and ESC, 4-5) 5. IDPs in Afghanistan (8 15) 3. State building (DDR, 5 6) 1. Announcements to Returnees Returnees have the free choice of either returning to their village (location of origin) or to Iris Validation Centres: All refugees returning from Pakistan to Afghanistan with UNHCR assistance must be scanned by an iris machine, a computer-based technology that examines the eye and can detect if someone has been tested before. The machine does not take a picture of the eye, but registers a number that is similar to a fingerprint. Iris Recognition Centres are located at Hayatabad in Peshawar, Alizai in Kurram Agency, Balochistan (in Balili), and in Khost in Afghanistan. Chaman Iris Recognition Centre was closed on August 31st, Women returnees have the discretion to present their pictures without Burka, with Burka, or no picture at all. Their UNHCR assistance will not be affected in any case. But they must go through the Iris screening; otherwise they will not receive their entitlements. Returnees are advised to have their VRFs with them while travelling in the host country and Afghanistan. Anyone who is discovered to have received assistance before will not receive assistance. The entire family will be checked against the VRFs at the encashment centre. Returnees should not approach just any Distribution Centre (DC), but only the one marked on their VRFs; otherwise they will not receive assistance. Transport Assistance: Returnees will receive cash assistance at the following encashment centres in Afghanistan located in Pul-I-Charkhi, Ghazni, Mohmand Dara, Zaranj, Daman, Mazar-I-Sharif, Pul-I-Khumri, Kunduz, Herat, Gardez and Khost. The

2 2 Samangan, Balkh, Jawzjan, etc) should receive their entitlements at the first EC or in Pul- I-Khumri. Returnees are also advised to have their vaccination and health records, and those of their children, with them for medical uses in clinics on the way to return and in Afghanistan. Children under 5 years of age will be vaccinated. The returnees' personal belongings are exempt from all customs duties. But please note that returnees can take neither commercial amounts of any item nor can they export government proscribed items. Returnees should also advise their truck drivers not to carry business goods on returnee trucks in order to avoid delay at the border and undesired consequences at the customs. IOM has established a Transit Centre in Shibar district to provide overnight facilities for returnees and IDPs travelling from the south and central regions to the north. But the Centre has no food provision yet. Safety Message: Returnees are advised to refrain from smoking while travelling with their luggage, and to ensure the safety of their inflammable items. They should also avoid sitting dangerously on the top of trucks. Returnees are solely responsible for their own safety and that of their belongings. UNHCR assumes no responsibility for accidents while travelling. Shelter: To help returnees in their initial phase of reintegration, UNHCR is providing shelter for 52,000 families in The shelter project is NOT for every returnee family but only for the most vulnerable, who have been identified from returning IDPs and refugees, as well as the returnee receiving communities. The beneficiaries are selected with the help of local Shuras, local authorities and UNHCR partners. They have to build the shelter on their own land or property, in their places of origin. The shelter (a standard two-room, one corridor and one latrine unit) programme is self-help assistance, and while building material (timbers, lintels, doors, windows and tool kits) is provided by UNHCR, the beneficiaries are responsible for the construction work. The recipients are also entitled to a sum of money or food for work for standard and domed type shelters. Note on Land: UNHCR has learned about the existence of fraudulent schemes which extracts money from refugees in return for a promise to get them government land for housing. As far as UNHCR is aware there is at present no government programme to distribute land. The general like to advise refugees not to pay any money for fraudulent land schemes and to check the authenticity of any land scheme with the Representatives of the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation in Pakistan (Peshawar, Islamabad, and Quetta) or with UNHCR offices. Information on the AMAYESH Process - Iran: The purpose of the Amayesh process, which is currently underway throughout Iran, is to issue new Identity cards to all those Afghans who were registered in the 2001 registration exercise and 2

3 3 at the time were issued with temporary registration slips. Undocumented or Afghans who were not registered in 2001 are not eligible to get the new cards. The Amayesh process, which was suppose to take place over a 3 months period from June 21 to September 22, is now extended for all provinces untill 23rd October 2003 to include those who are willing to register but have not been able to participate in the programme. The fee for registration of each person (over 2 years old) is 50,500 Rls (app 6 USD). The new Amayesh documents are entitled: Exit Travel Permit. However, such documents are not valid for travelling back to Afghanistan and returnees should surrender their Exit Travel Permits and receive exit LPs issued for a specific border exit point. The validity of the Exit Travel Permit is for 3 months for singles (male and female) and 4-6 months for married Afghans depending on their area of residence. The Permits may be renewed but the details of the renewal process are yet to be announced. All government services such as education, health care, assisted repatriation; travel, etc. would be possible only if the person is holding an Amayesh card. UNHCR/BBC Radio Programme: There is a joint BBC/UNHCR radio programme specifically aimed at Afghan refugees, IDPs and returnees. The programme deals with the situation in Afghanistan, including security, development activities of the Afghan government, United Nations and other aid agencies, and the challenges that the Afghans, especially returnees, are the situation in Afghanistan to those wishing to return home, and to offer a forum for a wider debate on all aspects of repatriation and reintegration. The programme is broadcast from Saturday to Wednesday (5 Days a week): 1 st edition: 0730 to 800 GMT = 1100 to 1130 Iran time, 1200 to 1230 Afghan time, and 1230 to 1300 Pakistan time. 2 nd edition: to 1230 GMT = 1530 to 1600 Iran time, 1630 to 1700 Afghan time and 1700 to 1730 Pakistan time. The programmes are broadcast on Short wave frequencies of khz (19-meter band, and khz (16-meter band). please write to the following addresses. The BBC will include them in the programme: Afghanistan: BBC, Post Box No. 1, Central Post Office, Kabul, Afghanistan. Pakistan: BBC, Post Box 255, University Town, Peshawar, Pakistan. Iran: , Mashhad, Iran. 3

4 4 UNHCR/ARTV Radio Programme: UNHCR has also a joint radio programme with Afghanistan programme is broadcast on Sundays and Fridays (2 days a week) at 2100 hrs for 30 minutes in Dari and Pashto languages. 2. Nation Building: Reintegration and Development AGEF in Afghanistan Introduction: AGEF is a non-governmental and non-political organization established in April 2002 in Kabul and registered at the Ministry of Planning of the Afghan Transitional State. AGEF implements the German and UK governments. AGEF aims to provide job opportunities for returnees mainly from Germany and UK. It has offices in Germany and UK where they register and train Afghans willing to return home. They send their CVs after completing the courses to Kabul and ask for any appropriate employment. AGEF in Kabul has trained 5,500 persons since its establishment. The training include computer training courses, English language training, carpentry, cookery, plumbing etc, which are taught by German and Afghan instructors. The training would enable them to find their way to employment in NGOs, on the job training, employment promotion packages, salary subsidies, training qualification and business start up courses. International organizations in Kabul and provinces looking for suitable staff submit the job descriptions of the posts, and AGEF introduces the suitable candidates accordingly. For vocational training, AGEF plans to start working closely with workshops in the market and introduce trainees to them. German trainers are also supposed to share the training with the Afghan trainers in the workshops. Students learning at AGEF training centers are paid a daily salary of $3 and a certificate at the end of the courses. AGEF offices in Kabul, Jalalabad, Mazar and Herat give priority to refugees and returnees specially introduced by some agencies such as UNHCR but the rest of population seeking employment will be given the chance in the second step. In its business start up program, AGEF provides 40% of the total budget to the graduates, who must provide the remaining 60%. In the course of last year, 49 projects were implemented while projects are planned for the current year. AGEF in close collaboration with DDR is providing assistance to the reintegration program. AGEF has a registration center, two training centers and a main office in Kabul. The program will run up to the end of 2005 with a possible extension afterwards. 4

5 5 How to apply for jobs and qualification courses: At the AGEF Registration Office in Kabul and Employment Promotion Centers in major cities such as Mazar, Herat and Jalalabad, returnees can register as job seekers or trainers. Job seekers will be assisted to find a job or can participate in the qualification courses. Every week about 100 job seekers are registered with AGEF for jobs. Job seekers submit their curriculum vitae with applications at AGEF registration centers. Based on their data, potential candidates are selected for jobs. AGEF has provided 1,000 job seekers with employment and training on the job, and introduced more than 1,000 people to qualification courses since May ILO (International Labor Organization) established its first Employment Services Center (ESC) in Kabul on 4 August with its office located in the premises of the Manpower Department of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MLSA). ILO is planning to expand the project to six provinces (Baghlan, Hirat, Jalalabad, Kandahar, Mazar-I-Sharif and Sheberghan) in the near future. The project aims at demobilizing soldiers, and to target disabled and unemployed women, as well as returnees. ESC will assist unemployed persons including returnees with a certain degree of skills and those who have attended vocational training courses. The project, funded by Germany, is to be implemented through the MLSA, and technically and financially supported by ILO and AGEF. Beneficiaries of this project (still in its pilot phase) include the following categories: Unemployed persons, particularly women, who have completed vocational training courses. Disabled, especially educated and skilled individuals who are having difficulty entering the labor market. DDR registered demobilized soldiers who are in the reintegration phase. Skilled applicants can contact the ILO Employment Services Center to fill out a form and attend an interview regarding their professional skills. A total of 20,000 persons, iincluding 8,000 to be demobilized soldiers will be assisted by ESC over the three years period. 3. State Building Municipality and Housing Scheme in Mazar-e-Sharif: Mazar Municipality was established about 45 years ago. It has a Civil Engineering Unit (CEU) composed of 10 civil engineers who work in close collaboration with the Department of Housing on a number of issues: regulating construction process in the city, architectural and structural 5

6 6 design of buildings and bridges, city planning, implementation of the Master Plan and adjustment of reconstruction activities in accordance with the city development plan. The other activities are price control, road rehabilitation, and cleaning of the city. At present, it is also trying to get back the city land that has been illegally occupied by some people, especially the local commanders. The 5-year master plan for Mazar City was prepared in , during President Mohammad 23 projects in that plan of which 8 projects have been implemented, and 5 projects, started by the Islamic Government of Afghanistan in 1994, remain incomplete. The residents of the city are building their houses according to the master plan. Problems: In addition to the shortage of equipment for road rehabilitation and city cleaning, the municipality also suffers from lack of coordination between municipality and NGOs working in the field of reconstruction, lack of a control system for prices and daily wages, illegal taxation, and corruption in the municipality staff. Areas of Security Concern 4. Security Parts of North-Western Afghanistan have witnessed serious security problems over the last two weeks, with ongoing fighting and abuses against civilians in Faryab province, taxation and forced recruitment in certain districts of Balkh and Jowzjan, and recently an outbreak of fighting between Jamiat and Jumbesh forces in Balkh province. Balkh, Saripul and Jowzjan Provinces Fighting broke out between Jumbesh and Jamiat forces in the Charbolak, Dehdadi, Chimtal, Chahi, Kod-e-Barq, and Sholgara districts of Balkh province in early October. UNHCR has currently no information on the details of the problems faced by civilians as a result of the fighting, although there are reports of property being destroyed, widespread forced recruitment, and some physical abuses against civilians. An intervention was made at the political level to reach a cease-fire agreement between the faction leaders. On 27 September, in Charbolak two tented girls' schools were set on fire by unknown militants, who left leaflets saying that girls should not go to school, and threatening to take action if they did. In late September, UNHCR received reports that in Shortepa, Khantepa and Dinnar of Qarqin district in Jowzjan province, forced recruitment and extortion are being regularly practiced. These findings have been also reflected in previous reports from Shortepa district of Balkh, and Suzmaqla district of Sari Pul province. In Shortepa district, the security is generally poor; and there are many reports of looting by gunmen Faryab Province 6

7 7 UNHCR again repeats its concerns over returns to Faryab province in general, and Almar district in particular. Local commanders continue to control all districts of Faryab, levying 10% taxes on civilian groups. Reports of occasional physical abuses against civilians have been reported in Shirin Tagab in early September. Checkpoints have been set up on the main roads by armed militias in order to collect taxes from smugglers. Almar district is particularly problematic, where ongoing competition between rival Jumbesh and Jamiat commanders has led to systematic taxing of the civilian population, forced recruitment of young men, with the possibility of violence or discrimination against minority ethnic groups remaining high. Further fighting between Jamiat commanders and Jumbesh/Jamiat commanders took place in the villages of Turbat, Chaghatak, Khwajar Gawhar and Miradam Hotaki in late August. In early October, internal Jamiat changes have led to deterioration in the security situation in Chaghatak, where civilians have been reported to be leaving the village. UNHCR has suspended returns of displaced persons to Almar from within the country, and advises refugees in Iran and Pakistan originating from this district not to return until further notice. Developments in Faryab mid October indicate that a Junbish-Jamiat rapporochement and that Almar would be now under joint control. In Arab Aqsai village of Pashton Kot district, although the security situation has improved since last mo harass and loot civilians at night. Other villages in the area, including Qasaba Qala, Dari Aqsai, Aq Ghunband and Tomchi are all said to be experiencing similar abuses. Kapisa Province, Kohband district. Fighting between local commanders continued in Kohband district of Kapisa province throughout September focused on the two villages of Dornama and Malekr. Fighting in Kohband is linked to the Nawabad village of Kohistan II, where commanders continue to occupy the land of displaced minority civilians. Road Safety: Returnees should exercise particular caution when travelling on the following roads: The road from Kunduz city to Shirkhan border Recent reports indicate that returnees or the drivers of the vehicles are asked to pay at the various checkpoints (at the entry to Shiberghan, at the entry to Mazar, at the exit from Mazar and on the way to Samangan, and near Dara Samangan). The route from Herat to Farah and Kandahar (Shindand to Dilaram) Abuses of returnees especially extortion of money have been reported on the Herat- Aybak road Roads in the districts of Farsi, Gulistan and Ghormach (on route to Bala Morghab) Main road from Nili to Tirinkut, Uruzgan Road between Ghazni centre and Malistan district and the connecting road between Malistan and Nawur 7

8 8 The road from Ghazni to Kabul, especially in Saalar area of Said Abad district of Maidan/Wardak province Main road between Qalat and Ghazni The road linking Qalat to Lashkargah, Helmand Province The Afghan and Coalition forces have established joint check-posts on the main Kandahar- Spin Boldak road to inspect all traffic for security purposes. Note: All returnees are advised NOT to travel during the night hours, and should seek shelter in one of the major settlements. UNHCR has noted the presence of illegal check-posts in certain villages (Hassan Khil and Gojar Khil) in Bagram district allegedly practising extortion on returnees and intimidating the local population. UNHCR will be approaching the authorities on this issue, but returnees traveling through Bagram are advised to avoid these areas, especially at night. Central Region: 5. Internally Displaced People (IDP) in the Country Background: People became displaced to and from central region because of factional fighting, drought, poverty, insecurity, and lack of job opportunities. Initially (in 1992) the movement of IDPs was mainly to the north; later, it spread to other regions and outside the country. At present, the total number of IDPs in the Central Provinces (Kabul, Kapisa, Logar, Parwan, and Wardak) is 2,821 persons. There is no IDP camp or settlement in the central region. The relatively small of IDPs are scattered around the region. Return of IDPs: IDPs returning to their villages of origin are provided with food and non-food assistance by UNHCR, and transportation by IOM. IDPs are receiving the same assistance package as returnees from neighbouring countries. IMC (International Medical Corp) provides medical check ups for the IDP families while they are being relocated. IOM (International Organization for Migration): IOM, in close collaboration with UNHCR, started the relocation of IDPs from the central region in December Initially, 2,169 IDP families (8,162 individuals) were returned from Panjshir to their home villages in the Shomali Plain. These IDPs had fled their home villages due to factional fighting and insecurity in their areas. IOM and UNHCR carried out a joint survey in various parts of Kabul City where they registered almost 27,000 IDP families. Almost 80% of them were from Shomali. 1,809 families (9,046 individuals) were returned from Kabul to Shomali, Kapisa, Bamyan and to those parts of the central region where the IDP families preferred to be relocated. Last year, IOM helped to return 35 families (159 individuals) from Ghazni to Dara-e-Suf and 4 other families (14 individuals) to Pul-e-Khumri in the north. In collaboration with UNHCR, IOM also helped to return almost 3,060 families (14,568 individuals) from the Russian Embassy 8

9 9 Compound in Kabul to their places of origin in the Shomali plain between March and April Also, more than 1,400 families, who fled different districts of Bamyan and settled in the ancient caves of Bamyan City were returned to their places of origin in Recently (2 September 2003), 27 families (78 individuals) were returned from Ghazni to their places of origin in Dara-e-Suf district of Balkh province. IOM s recent attempt to help return IDPs to their places of origin shows very small number of IDPs registering for the exercise. One major indication of displacement in Kabul City is the small number of returnees and IDPs who reside in ruined public buildings. Most of these people are neither able to return to their destroyed houses and repair them, nor can they rent houses. The government and aid agencies are planning to assist some of them with the rebuilding of their houses and to help them to return. Northern Region: At present there are 15,250 IDPs in the northern region. Most of them are living in villages and not camps. There is one IDP camp in Kunduz province where 1,159 Gujar families live. Return of IDPs: 8,000 IDPs have returned to their places of origin (mostly to northern Bamyan, Dara-i-Suf, Parwan and Kabul provinces) since It is expected that 300 to 500 IDPs will return to their places of origin in At present, others will remain due to security problems, fighting, looting, illegal taxation, and other forms of insecurity in their places of origin. In Faryab province where many of the IDPs have already integrated into the local communities, UNHCR is working to find durable solutions to their problems. There are thousands of families (mostly Pashtoons and Kuchis) displaced from the north and other parts of the country with majority of them originally from Faryab, Jawzjan and Sar-i-Pul provinces. They have been displaced by persecution, harassment, and other security problems. IOM: IOM and the Department of Refugees and Repatriation (DoRR) are cooperating with UNHCR in IDP repatriation process and providing returnees with assistance once they are identified and registered. UNHCR assists vulnerable IDPs according to their registration card, which is similar to those of returnees. Return Commission: The Return Commission was established in June 2002 in the north-west that is chaired by the Minister of Refugees and Repatriation. Its members are General Abdul Rashid Doustom of Jumbesh, Ustad Atta Mohammad of Jamiyat, Sardar Saeedi of Wahdat, the Independent Human Rights Commission, UNAMA, and UNHCR Afghanistan.. The Return Commission Working Group have been conducting missions sinc October last year, visiting 5 provinces, over 23 districts, and over 200 villages in their assessment of causes and obstables to return. They recently conducted a mission from 27 July to 10 August 2003 to the southern and western provinces to meet with the representatives of northern IDPs with view to facilitate their return with safety and dignity. So far the Commission has conducted meetings with representatives of the IDPs in Zhare Dasht camp in Kandahar, Mukhtar camp in Helmand, and Maslakh and Shaidaee camps in Herat and Badghis to inform IDPs about the security and 9

10 10 social situation in their places of origin. The Return Commission Working Group briefed the President Karzai, the Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, UNHCR Chief of Mission, and the National Security Commission on the result of their mission and IDP situation in the related areas. Further consultations will be held between the Central Government and displaced persons from the north-west in Kabul in the next month, specifically related to trying to find solutions to the causes of their displacement. Southern Region The majority of IDPs in this region is concentrated in five major camps in Kandahar and Helmand provinces. There are two categories of IDPs: those from the north-west who fled because of persecution and insecurity and those from south who fled because of drought and economic hardships. Spin BoldakThere are five sub-camps of IDPsin Spin Boldak holding 4,107 families (21,575 individuals). The vast majority of these IDPs has been displaced due to drought mainly from Zabul, Kandahar and Ghazni provinces. Less than 2% of the IDPs are Pashtun from Jawzjan, Faryab, Badghis, Hirat, andsar-e-pul who are not able to return because of fear of persecution. In addition, there are some Kuchis in Spin Boldak who have lost their livestock. Zhare Dasht: There are twelve settlements in this camp holding an estimated 8,236 IDP families (39,854 individuals). The majority of the camp residents are Pashtun from the west and northwest north and north-west. For the first time, 24 families (131 individuals) from Zhari Dasht along with 12 families (50 individuals) from Kandahar (animal market area) were helped to return to their places of origin on 8 Oct UNHCR and MoRR facilitated their return. These IDPs returned to Ghormash and Morghab districts in Badghis province. PanjwayeeThere are three sub-camps holding 8,914 IDP families (44,570 individuals). 99% of the IDPs in these camps are Baluch Kuchis of Rigistan district located between Kandahar and Nimroz. About 1% of them are from Badghis displaced mainly due to discrimination and fear of persecution, while others have drought-related cases. Maiwand: There are 1,208 IDP families (6,040 individuals) in this camp who are all Baluch Kuchis of Rigistan, and were reduced to IDPs situation due to complete lost of their livestock. Mukhtar (HelmandThere are 6,513 IDP families (32,146 individuals) displaced due to both persecution and drought. They are mainly from Faryab, Badghis, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Ghor, Urozgan and Ghazni provinces. Of 125 families returned to their places of origin in Herat and Ghor provinces on 28 August 2003, receiving assistance packages and cash assistance for transportation. Southeastern Region: 10

11 11 Khost Province: A total of 480 IDP families (4,035 individuals) from different provinces are living behind the Custom House, 2km to the west of Khost. Of these IDPs, 336 families (2,897 individuals) are from Musa Khel, Dewamando, Nadershakot, Matoon, Alishir, Spera, Qalandara, Baak Sobari, Tani and Jajimaidan districts in Khost, and 125 families (1008 Individuals) are from Paktia. The rest of them originate in Paktika, Logar, Baghlan, Zabul, Kabul, Wardak, and Badakhshan provinces. Return of the IDPs: So far, 160 families (908 Individuals) have returned from Khost to their villages of origin in Logar (Charkh, Barakibarak and Pul-e-Alam), Kabul, Laghman, Paktia, Kapisa, Wardak, Takhar and Kunduz provinces. At present 48 IDP families are willing to return with food and non-food items, transportation assistance and shelter in their villages. The rest are not willing to return due to drought, lack of job opportunity, shelter, and land problems in their villages. Paktia Province: The total number of IDPs in this province is 204 IDP families (1326 individuals) living in Baghe- Peer, Baghaka, Khataba, Askari Families (a housing complex), Hada-e-Chob, Comisari, Arzaaq, Sharwali, and Ahingaran areas. They have fled their villages in Parwan (Ghurband District), Paktia (Said Karam, Laja Mangal, Jaji Aryub and Jaji Ahmadkhil), Nangrahar (Reg-e- Shammard Khan), Lagman, Kabul (Char Qala, Charasyab, Shewaki and Kabul city), Logar (Barakibarak) and Mazar-e-sharif provinces because of insecurity and economic hardships. Repatriation: So far, 25 families (156 individuals) have left Gardez for their homes in Kabul City, Ghorband district of Parwan, Nangrahar (Behsoon district) and Baghlan provinces. None of the IDP families wants to return in the near future due to lack of job opportunity and shelter, poor economic situation, drought, and land problems in their areas. Ghazni Province: The total number of IDPs in Ghazni province is estimated to be about 2,247 families (13,407 individuals) living in Ghazni centre, Maqur, Giro, Qarabagh, Gaghori, Ajirastan, Jaghato, Khowaja Omari, Ander, Rashidan, Zanakhan, Nawur, Malestan, Nawa, Waghaz, Dehyak, Aaband, and Gailan. They are mainly from Kandahar, Bamyan, Kabul, Zabul, Paktia and Paktika provinces. Most of them are believed to be economic migrants and not of concern to UNHCR Paktika Province: There are 600 IDP families from Ghazni living mostly in Sharana Centre in Paktika province. About 18 families of them want to return to their home villages in 2004 with the assistance of UNHCR. Eastern Region: There are 5,230 individuals are the active cases in the Eastern Provinces. Hisar Shahi, located in Rodat district of Nangrahar is the only IDP camp in the region where 264 Gujur families (1,320 individuals) from Takhar and Baghlan provinces live. These IDPs have 11

12 12 benefited from health education, health care, water and food for work projects: T also receive WFP food package. In Laghman province 60 IDP families (420 individuals) from Karanji village of Alingar district live in Mihtarlam; 30 families (150 individuals) live in Dawlat Shah; and about 120 families (840 individuals) live in Alingar. A total of 200 families (1,000 individuals) from Nooristan are living in Ghazi Abad, Nagrahar IDP location, while another 150 families (750 individuals) are displaced in Nooristan (Waigal) itself. Recently, Nangar epartment of Refugees and Repatriation (DoRR) distributed 29 tons of wheat (donated by the Russian government) to 580 IDP families scattered all over the province. Each family received 50kg of wheat. Laghman DoRR also distributed wheat (50kg per family) to 400 IDP families in the province. Return of IDPs: UNHCR assisted the return of 2,888 families from Hisar Shahi camp to Kabul, Kapisa, Wardak, and Baghlan provinces in In addition, 374 families from Kama and Bihsood districts and 78 families from Jalalabad City have also been returned to their places of origin. UNHCR in collaboration with other partners (UNAMA, the Government) is currently seeking solutions for the following four main protection related IDP caseloads: About 500 IDPs families from Kamdish (Nuristan), mainly in Barg-e-matal area About 264 Gujur IDP families from the North living in Hisar Shahi About 200 IDP families from Keranj of Alingar district (Laghman) currently displaced in Mihtarlam and Alishang districts of the same province IDPs from Farashghan village (Dawlat Shah District in Laghman) currently displaced in Mora village of the same district In its attempt to find solutions to the IDPs problems, UNHCR recently organis visit to the North for seven Gujur representatives from Hisar Shahi Camp. The efforts may lead to the return of 60 Gujur families to their homes. Western Region: Many people fled their privinces of origin as a result of conflict, drought and persecution between 1996 and These people either reached Herat where they were accommodated in seven camps, opted to live in spontaneous settlements other than their places of origin (as in Badghis and Farah), or went to Kandahar into exile. Herat has attracted many displaced people due to the presence of large number of aid agencies and the availability of jobs. 12

13 13 In early 2002, there were 117,398 IDPs living in Maslakh camp; 27,604 in Shaidayee; 7,779 in Minaret; 4,797 in Rawzabagh; 2,500 in Rawashan; and 333 families in CTC camp. In addition, 1,743 IDP families were living in 11 districts of Farah province, and 860 other families (mainly from Faryab, Ghor, Farah, Badghis, Herat, Kbaul, Hilmand and Bamyan provinces), were living in spontaneous settlements in Badghis and Farah provinces. Voluntary Repatriation: In February 2002, UNHCR and IOM began the voluntary return of IDPs from the Western region, and by September 2003, 24,846 families (92,429 individuals) had returned to their place of origin. Returning families received UNHCR and WFP assistance packages of food and non-food items (farming tools, tents, seeds, etc.). IDP Durable Solutions Strategy: The provincial Department of Repatriation and Refugees (DoRR), UNHCR, UNAMA and WFP jointly launched a phasing out strategy in October 2002, which tasked each actor to help in solving the return problems of IDPs. The solution strategy was formulated in response to a significant improvement in the agricultural and drought situation in some of the IDPs area of origin. The shift from emergency-based attention to focus their support for sustainable return in the IDPs places of origin, rather than in camps. The overall objective of the strategy is to facilitate the return of IDPs to their places of origin and to reduce displacement in the western areas through the identification and implementation of alternative durable solutions. Once IDPs return home, UNHCR and DoRR, as part of their sustainable return strategy, are tasked to continue monitoring the reintegration of returnees in their places of origin. Those who have genuine protection reasons for not returning will remain in the camps where they will continue to receive assistance. However, since July 2003, free food distribution (FFD) had been replaced with Food for Training (FFT) and Food for Work (FFW). UNHCR has also undertaken the responsibility of providing IDPs in Maslakh camp with information since 2002 through its mass information campaign. This campaign is structured to give feed IDPs with the information on their places of origin: health, education, security, agriculture enable them to make an informed decision about their voluntary return. Go and See visits have been organized for IDPs so that they gain detail and accurate information in their places of origin. Return of IDPs from the Camps and Spontaneous Settlements in 2003: UNHCR and DoRR in co-operation with IOM and WFP have been facilitating the voluntary return of IDPs to their places of origin not only from the camps, but also from spontaneous settlements. In 2003, a total of 9,617 IDP families (45,702 individuals) have returned to their places of origin in the provinces of Badghis (Qala-e-Naw, Muqur, Qadis, Jawand, Sang-e-Atish, Dara-e-Boom, Ghurmach, and Murghab districts), Hirat (Farsi, Gulran, Rabat Sangi, Adresken, Kushk, Kush-e- 13

14 14 Kohne, Kohsan, Ghoryan, Karukh, Obe, Chisht-e-Sharif, Pashton Zarghon, Zinda Jan, and Shindand districts), Hilmand (Gareshk and Lashkargah districts), Farah ( Bala Buluk, Purchaman and Bakwa districts), Takhar (Dasht-e-Qala and Khaja Ghar districts), Kunduz ( Talghan, Kunduz and Dasht-e-Archi districts), Faryab (Qaisar, Khaja Musa, Chehl Gazi, Dawlat Abad, Shirin Tagab, Maimana, Juma Bazar, Almar and Chehl districts), Ghor (Dolaina, Shahrak, Cheghchran, Taiwara, Lal Wa Sarjangle, Passaband and Tulak districts), Urozgan (Khidir and Daykondi districts), Kabul (to 6 districts), Kandahar ( Kandahar and Koshk-e-Nakhod districts), Ghazni (Khaja Mir district), and Logar (Mohammed Aqa district). IDP population in the Camps and Spontaneous Settlements (September 2003): There are 3,182 families in Maslakh camp, 400 families in spontaneous settlements (Minaret and Shaidayee locations), 231 families living in scattered spontaneous settlements in Farah City, and Purchaman and Gulistan districts of Farah province. In addition, 516 families in Murghab district, 250 families in Ghurmach district, and 60 families in Jawand district of Badghis province live in spontaneous settlements. In total, there are 4,638 IDP families (23,721 individuals) living in spontaneous settlements and camps in the region. Future of the camps: Based on the durable solutions strategy and long-term solution, it is decided to consolidate the 3 camps of Maslakh, Shaidayee and Minaret into one. In this case only Maslakh camp will remain open to serve IDPs. IDPs from the other two camps can be transferred on voluntary basis. DoRR and UNHCR have so far moved 186 families (1,005 individuals), who are not able to return home at present, to Maslakh camp. About 50% of the remaining IDP caseload are from Faryab where the situation is not conducive for return. The rest are from Herat, Badghis and other provinces. Two groups of IDPs, those Kuchi who are without livestock and those who are without land, will remain in the camp. Long term solution for the remaining caseloads: Return home remains the long-term solution for the remaining IDPs caseload. MoRR, MRRD and MoTA (Ministry of Tribal Affairs) are working on a global policy for the last two (Kuchi) groups of IDPs. Two IDP return commissions are institutionalised to work on removing the obstacles to the return of IDPs, especially those who fear persecution. Northern Regional Working Group is tasked to address the problems of IDPs from the northern region who are displaced inside Afghanistan or abroad. Badghis Return Task Force is working to address the problems of IDPs, who are still displaced, from the western region. MRRD and Ministry of Tribal Affairs are also exploring the possibility of local integration for those IDPs that are unable or unwilling to return. For More Information and Questions Contact Abdul Qayeum Karim on (0093) , KARIMAQ@unhcr.org 14